Trimble stands down
UUP leader David Trimble has announced his resignation, just one day after losing his seat in Parliament.
In a statement released earlier, Mr Trimble announced that he did not wish to continue as leader and will stand down when a new leader is elected. He told a waiting crowd that he had had: “the privilege of leading… the best and most democratic political grouping in Ulster.”
The defeat has left the Ulster Unionists with just one seat from six in parliament, whilst the Democratic Unionists have gained four seats – taking their representation to nine.
According to a BBC News report – Trimble may be offered a seat in the House of Lords next week.
His ten-year reign was not without controversy. Although his party initially occupied ten seats in parliament compared to the DUP’s two, his approval rating following the Good Friday agreement slowly decreased.
Mr Trimble, along with John Hume (SDLP) received the Nobel peace prize in 1998.
